"He sees Greek nationals going and French people are due to be evacuated but the British ships are two to three days away.

"He's safe but anxious."

In an interview with a national paper Mr Owen, a former Balsall Common Heart of England pupil, said: "It's growing more and more scary because while the bombs started falling a long way off they are coming nearer all the time."

On Thursday he should be at a Buckingham Palace garden party with his wife Candy and Mr Jamie to celebrate Carton Edge - which makes the serrated edges on cartons - winning a Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2005.

Both directors have already been presented with a silver bowl to commemorate their achievement by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Colonel Anthony Griffiths.

The business also picked up the Coventry Evening Telegraph's Business Innovation Award for 2004.